Great Lakes Wire

Michigan residents should skip trips over the river and through the woods -- by car, airplane or any other way -- to large gatherings in loved ones' homes this Thanksgiving in an effort to reduce the spread of COVID-19, state officials have decided.

Under an emergency order issued Nov. 15, which went into effect on Wednesday, all home gatherings in Michigan now are limited to members of two households and not more than ten people, according to Michigan.gov.

The order also affected gathering places such as bowling alleys, high school and college classes, school sporting events, fitness centers, workplaces and other institutions.

Robert Gordon, Director MDHHS | Michigan.gov

The order was issued by Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon.

"To protect vulnerable individuals, ensure the health care system can provide care for all health issues, and prevent spread in schools during the influenza season, we must reduce the spread of COVID-19," Gordon said in the order. "This necessitates use of more forceful mitigation techniques to reduce the spread of the virus. As such, it is necessary to issue orders under the Public Health Code addressing these topics."

The situation now is much more dire than it had been in the previous shutdown, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said during a news conference shortly after the order was issued, according to the Detroit Free Press.

Violating Gordon's order is a misdemeanor punishable by a civil fine of up to $1,000 for each infraction each day, by imprisonment of up to six months and/or a fine of up to $200. The shutdown order is expected to last three weeks.

The state also has issued a video called "Spread Hope, Not COVID" to allow people to "learn how masks reduce the spread and can help safely reopen Michigan."

As of Nov. 19, Michigan has endured more almost 278,000 confirmed coronavirus cases and almost 8,200 people have died, according to information on Michigan.gov. The state presently has almost 5,800 confirmed daily cases and more than 60 deaths per day, according to the website.